Bipartisan Bills Pass House Financial Services Committee to Support Small Businesses, National Security, and Financial Regulations

Strategic Insights -

In a notable move, the House Financial Services Committee has passed a slew of bipartisan bills aimed at bolstering small businesses, strengthening national security, and refining financial regulations. Key bills that passed on the Committee include the American Access to Banking Act, the No New Burma Funds Act, and the Developing and Empowering our Aspiring Leaders (DEAL) Act, among others. These legislative packages focus on promoting community banking, bolstering small business investing, and enhancing national security by imposing sanctions on foreign entities.

Key Takeaways:

  • H.R. 4544, the American Access to Banking Act, aims to streamline community bank and credit union formation processes, reduce regulatory burdens, and promote investment.
  • H.R. 4423, the No New Burma Funds Act, seeks to pause international financial aid to Burma and impose sanctions on the Burmese government until a civilian government is restored.
  • H.R. 4429, the DEAL Act, aims to expand the types of assets that venture capital funds can hold while maintaining exemptions from securities laws.
  • H.R. 4431, the ICAN Act, would increase the thresholds for private funds to register with the SEC and assess their registration requirements via rulemaking.
  • H.R. 3673, the Small Business Investor Capital Access Act, aims to adjust the threshold for private funds to register with the SEC to $175 million and then adjust for inflation every five years.
  • H.R. 4449, the Advocating for Small Business Act, would establish individual small business offices within each of the SEC's primary divisions to strengthen the voice of small businesses at the SEC.
  • H.R. 4437, the SMART Act of 2025, provides exam relief for well-managed and well-capitalized banks and credit unions with under $6 billion in total assets.

Statistics:

  • H.R. 4544 would direct the Federal banking agencies to review and streamline application processes for community banks and credit unions.
  • H.R. 4423 would require Treasury to press the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to pause financial aid to Burma.
  • H.R. 4429 would expand the types of assets that venture capital funds can hold while maintaining exemptions from securities laws.
  • H.R. 4431 would increase the thresholds for private funds to register with the SEC.

Sources:

  • Press Release by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) on the House Financial Services Committee website
  • H.R. 4544: American Access to Banking Act of 2025 (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4423: No New Burma Funds Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4429: Developing and Empowering our Aspiring Leaders (DEAL) Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4431: Improving Capital Allocation for Newcomers (ICAN) Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 3673: Small Business Investor Capital Access Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4449: Advocating for Small Business Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4437: Supervisory Modifications for Appropriate Risk-based Testing Act of 2025 (SMART Act of 2025) (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 3390: Bringing the Discount Window into the 21st Century Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4478: Tailored Regulatory Updates for Supervisory Testing Act of 2025 (TRUST Act of 2025) (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4430: Expanding WKSI Eligibility Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 3190: BRAVE Burma Act (bill text on Congress.gov)
  • H.R. 4346: Preventing the Escalation of Armed Conflict in Europe Act of 2025, or PEACE Act of 2025 (bill text on Congress.gov)